Apparatus for stripping material



Jam. 2, 1945., B. W. LERCH APPARATUS FOR STRIPPING MATERIAL Filed June24, 1943 llll lll.

- IN VEN TOR. 52 W EEH I 3 0 0 0 0 flw o o ouono o o Patented Jan. 2,1945 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICIE APPARATUS FOR STRIPPING MATERIALBrooke W. Lei-ch, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Western Electric Company,Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationJune 24, 1943, Serial No. 492,012

15 Claims.

the removal of the defective shields it is essential that care be takento prevent the insulated cores from being damaged. Apparatus heretoforeused for this purpose has been unsatisfactory, since it often damagesthe insulation on the cores and is extremely slow, both of whichdisadvantages greatly increase the waste of vital materials and labor.

It is an object of this invention to provide new and improved methods ofand apparatus for stripping material.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention may be embodiedin an apparatus comprising a capstan for advancing an insulated cablecore covered with a braid at a given rate of speed, a pair of tootheddiscs engaging the braid and rotating at a speed slower than that of thecable being advanced therebetween whereby the braid is loosened andpushed back upon the cable core, cutters for shearing the loosenedbraid, and a finger for disengaging the cut braid} from the conductor.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexeddrawing, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus embodyingthe invention; I '3' Fig.2 is afragmentary plan view of the apparatusshown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of cutting toolsforming part of the apparatus, and

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along 'the lines 44 of Fig. 3.

rotatably'mounted parallel thereto in a similar bearing 20. Shafts I1and i8 are geared together by intermeshing gears 2| and 22 mountedthereon. A sprocket 2i keyed to the shaft I1 is designed to be driven ina counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, by achain 26 driven by aspocket 28 keyed to a shaft 29.

The. shaft 29.is mounted'in a bearing 30 (Fig. 2) and is rotated in acounterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) by an electric motor3|. cutting disc 32 secured to the shaft 29 has a bevelled, serratedperiphery 34 which forms an undulating cutting edge 35 at one edgethereof. An elongated tapered cutting blade 38 having a cutting edge 39formed thereon is rigidly mounted on an upright 40. A guide BI ispositioned near the cutting disc 32 and the blade 38 to guide theconductor It) as it is drawn toward the blade 38. The blade 38 isadapted to have the braid i 4 drawn past it in engagement with thecutting edge 39 thereon which cooperates with the cutting edge 35 on thedisc 32 .to sever the braid longitudinally as the cable I8 is drawntherepast by a capstan 42, around which the conductor ill is woundbefore being advanced to a suitable takeup means (not shown). A stripper44 is mounted on a support 4| and is positioned so that its free end 45lies adjacent to the insulation 12 inside the severed braid M toseparate the severed braid l4 therefrom as both the braid and theconductor move beyond the cooperating portions of the cutting edges 35and 39.

The capstan 42 is secured to a shaft 48 mounted in a bearing 41 and isdriven by a sprocket 48 secured on the shaft 46. The sprocket 48 isdriven by a chain 49 driven by a sprocket 50 keyed to the shaft 29. Themeans driving the capstan 42 just described and the means driving thediscs l5i5 and Iii-l6 and the cutting disc 32 hereinbefore described areso designed that the periphery of the capstan 42 moves at a rate ofspeed greater than do the peripheries of the discs I5-i6, Iii-l8 and thecutting edge 35 on the disc 32.

The toothed peripheries of the discs |i-l 5 and l6'--|6 are spaced aparta distance so that the teeth thereon will engage and retard theadvancement of the braid M. This retarding action bunches the braidbehind the discs l-I-l5 and iii-i6, causing it to expand and free itselffrom the periphery of the insulation l2 in that portion of the cable tothe left of the discs iii-l5 and lB-IB as viewed in Fig. 1 of thedrawing. However, the toothed peripheriesof the discs l5-l5 and l6-l8are spaced apart a sufficient distance to prevent the teeth thereon fromengaging and damaging the insulation l2.

In the operation of the apparatus, the operator with the aid of suitablemanual cutting tools removes a suilicient length of the braid it fromthe end of the cable ill to permit the bared end of the cable It! to beinserted between the discs I5-l5 and I5--l8, wrapped once around thecapstan 42 and secured to the takeup means (not shown). The end of thebraid M remaining on the conductor l should then be to the left of thediscs I-IB and 16-48. as seen in Fig. 1. The operator then starts themotor 8| and the takeup means so that the capstan 42 draws the cablethrough the apparatus. The braid is carried to the braid retarding discsI5l5 and l6-l6 and is engaged by the teeth on the peripheries thereof.Since the periphery of the capstan 42 travels at a greater rate of speedthan do the teeth on the braid retarding discs, the I core II,insulation i2 and the close fitting braid l4 thereon will be advanced tothe teeth of the discs l5l5 and IS-i6 by the capstan 42 at a greaterrate of speed than that at which the more slowly moving teeth willpermit the braid l4'engaged thereby to move therepast. The braid I 4 ata distance to the left of the discs l5-|5 and 16-46 travels at the samespeed as the core and insulation thereon. The thrust caused by themovement of the braid and the engagement therewith by the more slowlymoving retarding discs will cause the braid to bunch up and expand as itis engaged by and passes beyond the teeth of the discs l5--I5 and l8l8,thus enlarging the diameter of the braid and loosening it on theinsulation l2. When the end of the loosened braid approaches the end ofthe tapered cutting blade 38, the operator guides the loosened braid andthe insulated core into engagement with the guide 5| and over the blade38, which blade will then lie between the tubular braid l4 and theinsulation l2. As the machine continues to operate, the braid is forcedbetween the overlapping cutting edges 85 and 39, which sever it along aline parallel to the longitudinal axis' thereof. As the severed portionof the braid is fed forward beyond the cutting edges 35 and 39, it willbe drawn off the conductor by the end 45 of the stripper 44, which liesagainst the insulation l2. Meanwhile, the insulated core and the braidI4 are continuously advanced and the teeth of the discs l5-l5 and Iii-I6will continue to engage longitudinally and expand the braid l4 so thatit can be continuously cut by the edges 35 and 39 and stripped by thestripper 44 from the insulated core. The insulated core is drawn aroundthe capstan 42 and upon suitable takeup I x or until the operator forsome other reason desires to stop the machine.

The exact ratio of the speed of the periphery of the capstan 42 withrespect to the peripheral speed of the discs Ill-l5 and Ill-l8 and thecutting disc 32 may be varied to suit the size of the cable, the pitchand the material forming the braided sheath thereon. For example, theratio of the peripheral speeds suitable for cutting and strippingloosely braided sheaths of steel wire upon a cable having a diameter ofabout a quarter of an inch has been found to be about 2.8 to 1. However,any ratio between-about 2 to 1 and 4 to 1 may be used with satisfactoryresults.

The apparatus embodying the invention is suitable for rapidly andefficiently cutting any expandable braid, and will strip the braid forsalvage with a minimum expenditure of time and effort by the operatorand without damage to the insulation beneath the braid.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for cutting tubular braids on elongated members, whichcomprises means for advancing an elongated member having a flexiblebraided tubular covering thereon, means for longitudinally compressingand thereby expanding the covering laterally on the elongated member toloosen the covering thereon, and means for cutting the expanded portionof the covering parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it and themember are advanced therepast.

2. A device for cutting tubular braids on elongated members, whichcomprises means for advancing an elongated member having a tubular braidthereon, a plurality of rotatable discs having serrations on theperiphery thereof for retarding the braid parallel to the longitudinalaxis thereof and thereby expanding it laterally upon the elongatedmember as the braid and the member are advanced therepast.

3. A device for cutting braided tubular coverings on elongated cores,which comprises means for advancing an elongated core having a closefitting wire braid thereon at a given rate of speed, means for engagingthe braid for retarding and thereby compressing it longitudinally toexpand the same laterally, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enterthe expanded portion of the braid as it is advancedtherepast, and acuting member movable with respect to the cutting 4. A device forcutting braided tubular cover- 40 ings on elongated cores, whichcomprises means for advancing an elongated core having a tubularmetallic braid thereon, a plurality of rotatable discs having serrationson the periphery thereof for retarding and thereby compressing the braidlongitudinally to expand the tubular braid laterally on the core as thebraid and the core are advanced therepast, an elongated cutting bladeadapted to enter the expanded portion of the braid as it is advancedtherepast, and a cutting member movable with respect to the cuttingblade to cooperate therewith for cutting the expanded portion of thebraid parallel to the iongitudinal axis thereof.

5. A device for cutting braided tubular coverings on elongated cores,which comprises means for advancing an elongated core having a closefitting tubular braid thereon at a given rate of speed, means forengaging the braid for retarding and thereby longitudinally compressingand laterally expanding the same, and means for cutting the expandedportion of the braid. parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as itand the core are advanced therepast.

6. A device for cutting braided tubular coverings on elongated cores,which comprises means for advancing an elongated core having a closefitting, tubular metallic braid thereon at a given rate of speed, aplurality of serrated discs for engaging the braid as it is advancedtherepast, means for rotating the discs at a slower rate of speed thanthat of the advancing means to retard the braid with respect to the coreand thereby longitudinally cnmpress and laterally expand the braid uponthe core, and means for cutting the expanded portion of the braidparallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it and the core areadvanced therepast.

speed than that of the advancing mean to retard the braid with respectto the core and thereby loosen it on the core, means for cutting theloosened portion of the braid parallel to the iongitudinal axis thereofas it and the core are advanced therepast, and means for stripping thecut portion of the braid from the member.

8. A devlce'for cutting braided tubular coverings on elongated cores,which comprises means for advancing an elongated core having a closefitting tubular metallic braid thereon at a given rate of speed, meanfor engaging the braid to retard and thereby expand the same laterally,an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the expanded portion of thebraid as it is advanced therepast, a cutting disc having a bevelled,serrated periphery forming a cutting edge thereon for cooperating withthe blade to sever the braid parallel to the longitudinal axis thereofas it is advanced thereby, and means for rotating the ings on elongatedcores, which comprises means for advancing an elongated core having aclose fitting tubular metallic braid thereon at a given rate of speed,means for engaging the braid to retard and thereby expand the samelaterally, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the expandedportion of the braid as it is advanced therepast, a cutting disc havinga bevelled, serrated periphery forming a cutting edge thereon forcooperating with the blade to sever the braid parallel to thelongitudinal axis thereof as it is advanced thereby, means'for rotatingthe cutting disc, and means for stripping the cut portion of the braidfrom the core.

10. A device for'cutting braided tubular coverings on insulatedconductors, which comprises mean for advancing an insulated conductorwith a close fitting, loosely braided wire braid thereon at a given rateof speed, a plurality oi serrated discs for engaging the braid as it isadvanced therepast, means for rotating the discs at a slower rate orspeed than the advancing means to retard the braid engaged thereby andthereby loosen it on the conductor, an elongated cutting blade adaptedto enter the loosened portion of the braid as it is advanced therepast,a cutting disc having a bevelled, serrated periphery forming a cuttingedge thereon for cooperating with the blade to sever the loosenedportion of the braid parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it isadvanced thereby, and means for rotating the cutting disc.

11. A device for cutting braided tubular coverings on insulatedconductors, which comprises means for advancing an insulated conductorwith a close fitting braided metallic sheath thereon at a given rate ofspeed, means for engaging the sheath to retard and thereby expand thesame laterally, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the expandedportion of the sheath as it is advanced therepast, a cutting disc havinga bevelled, serrated periphery forming a cutting edge thereon. forcooperating with the blade to sever the expanded portion of the sheathparallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it is advanced therepast,and means for rotating the cutting disc.

12. A device for cutting braided tubular coverings on insulatedconductors, which comprises means for advancing an elongated core with aclose fitting braided metallic sheath thereon at a given rate of speed,a plurality of serrated discs for engaging the sheath as it is advancedtherepast, means for rotating the discs at a slower rate of speed thanthe advancing means to retard the sheath and thereby expand'it laterallyon the core, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the expandedportion of the sheath as it is advanced therepast, a cutting disc havinga bevelled, serrated periphery forming a cutting edge thereon forcooperating with the blade to sever the sheath parallel to thelongitudinal axis thereof as it is advanced therepast, and means forrotating the cutting disc.

13.A device for stripping wire braids from shield insulated cables,which comprises a capstan for advancing a cable core having a closefitting wire braid thereon at a given rate of speed. a plurality ofpairs of opposed toothed discs for engaging the braid, means forrotating the discs at a slower rate of speed than that at which theconductor is advanced by the capstan so that the toothed discs retardthe braid to loos'en it on, the core, an elongated cutting blade adaptedto enter the loosened braid as it is advanced therepast, a cutting dischaving a cutting edge thereon for cooperating with the blade to severthe braid along the longitudinal axis thereof as it is advanced thereby,means for rotating the disc, as. guide adjacent to the blade and thedisc to prevent whipping of the core and the braid as they are advancedto the blade and the disc, and an elongated stripper lying against thecore for forcing the severed braid therefrom.

14. A device for loosening a braided covering upon an elongated member,which comprises means for advancing an elongated member hav= ing abraided covering thereon at a given rate of speed, opposed serrateddiscs for engaging the covering, and means to rotate the discs at aslower rate of speed than that at which the conductor is advancedtherebetween whereby the covering is longitudinally compressed andrashally expanded upon the member.

15. A device for cutting tubular coverings on elongated members, whichcomprises means for advancing an elongated member having a flexibletubular covering thereon, means for longitudi= nally compressing andthereby expanding the tubular covering laterally on the elongated memberto loosen the covering thereon, and means for cutting'the expandedportion .of the coverin: parallel to the longitudinal, axis thereof asit and the member are advanced therepast.

- BROOKE W. LERCH.

